Plate Lettering

[John Delacour]

At 13:21 -0700 1/8/08, Nick Gravagne wrote:

>This is a new thread RE Plate Lettering.
>
>What are some of the favorite methods out there these days? I have 
>always used Black Enamel and a small brush, but I have never felt 
>all that comfortable with it. How about black felt pens?

I always use Chinese ink, which I grind in the traditional way on a 
stone I have had for 30 years.

Here is a page at random where they advertise stones and ink:
  <http://www.orientalartsupply.com/products/ink.cfm>
but you can get something quite adequate very cheap from China on 
eBay.  For the price of a few throwaway felt pens you will have the 
equipment -- stone, brushes and ink -- to letter all the frames you 
will ever do.

This method has all the advantages:  you can grind the ink to end up 
with the consistency you need so that it not only sticks to the shiny 
surface but also has plenty of body and is very black and opaque, 
unlike felt pens, which provide no body at all.  Since the ink is 
water-based, you can make as many mistakes as you like.

I do the lettering after the gilding and before the last coat of clear lacquer.

JD